Ch. I Refuse to Be Your Luna 51 I Refuse to Be Your Luna 51

Chapter 51

Lady Flourish’s POV

Finishe

Garret was left completely speechless by his mother’s words. For several long seconds the dining/room stayed silent except for the faint clink of Grandma’s cutlery against her plate.

Across the table Lydia kept shooting him meaningful looks. Speak. Say something. Do something. But Garret stayed rigid in his chair, jaw locked so tight I could see the muscles moving under his skin.

His wolf was furious. I could feel it, the scent of his anger thickening in the room since the argument upstairs, the familiar pressure of an Alpha trying to hold onto control after being humiliated. Unfortunately for him, I no longer felt intimidated by it.

Eventually Lydia realized he had no intention of speaking. She forced a smile. “Grandma, Garret and I discussed this all night, and we still believe the nursing home is more suitable for you.”

I looked up immediately. There it was, exactly as expected. The moment I caused enough trouble, they suddenly remembered Grandma would probably be happier elsewhere.

“Why don’t we arrange for you to return this afternoon?” Lydia continued.

Satisfaction spread quietly through me. Grandma lifted her eyes toward her. “I would certainly like to stay there.”

Lydia’s smile brightened, too quickly. Before she could celebrate, Grandma kept going. “Who’s paying for the expenses?”

The smile disappeared. I lowered my gaze to hide mine.

“Is it you?”

Lydia opened her mouth. Nothing came out.

“The nursing home is much better than this house,” Grandma went on. “They have professional healers, experienced caretakers, people who understand how to care for an aging wolf. Even the food is better.” I almost laughed. “Surely you don’t expect an old wolf like me to pay those fees herself?”

Her voice stayed gentle, her expression innocent, but every word landed exactly where she meant it to.

Garret’s jaw tightened, his wolf stirring at the corner he’d been pushed into.

The whole household knew what the answer had to be. He was Alpha Garret. He couldn’t publicly let his ‘elderly mother pay her own way while he sat comfortably in his own home.

After several seconds he exhaled. “I’ll pay.”

“That’s good.”

“But.”

The single word changed the atmosphere instantly. My fingers stopped moving. His gaze landed on me. “I have one condition.”

19:55 Wed, Sep 30

Chapter 51

Finisher

My wolf lifted her head. I met his eyes without blinking.

“You are not allowed to mention calling off the Luna Rite again before the end of the month.”

Even Grandma stopped eating. I set my fork down slowly. “I won’t be attending the Luna Rite.” His expression darkened, but I kept going before he could interrupt. “I can pay Grandma’s nursing fees myself if necessary.” His eyes narrowed. “But I want my mother’s fifteen percent of the company shares.)

The room went completely still. Lydia stared at me. Garret’s scent changed instantly, anger, suspicion, the something colder.

“If you transfer her shares to me,” I said, “I’ll take Grandma with me immediately.” I sat straighter. “From that moment on, neither of you will have to take responsibility for her again.”

Garret stared at me for several seconds, then laughed. It wasn’t a pleasant sound. “I underestimated you.” said nothing. “So that’s what this is really about.” I didn’t bother explaining. He’d spent years making decisions about my life without ever asking what I wanted. If he thought I’d finally learned to negotiate for myself, he should have been proud instead of furious.

His expression hardened. “If you want those shares, you’ll get them over my dead body.”

Beside me Grandma flinched, and something sharp twisted in my chest. My wolf growled low, warning him.

He heard it, his eyes flickering toward me. For a moment neither of us moved.

Then Lydia spoke. “No.” Everyone turned. Her hands clenched against the table. “You can’t.”

I lifted a brow. “Then who’s paying for the nursing home?”

Her face darkened, and I could practically see the argument happening in her head.

She clearly didn’t want to spend the money, but she didn’t want Grandma staying in this house either, not after what had happened upstairs. Eventually she forced the words out. “I will.”

This time I smiled, a real one. “Wonderful.”

Garret looked like he wanted to argue again, but I didn’t give him the chance. The shares weren’t forgotten, only postponed.

I’d already learned something important. He valued those shares enough to threaten me over them, which meant they were worth fighting for.

After breakfast I helped Grandma pack, her favorite shawl going into the suitcase first, then her medication, her books, the small collection of photographs she always kept by her bed.

Folding one of her sweaters, I looked up. “Grandma, don’t listen to him anymore.”

She smiled. “The nursing home suits you better.” I hesitated, then added, “And honestly, I don’t feel comfortable with you living here.” My eyes moved briefly to the doorway, and she followed my gaze, understanding immediately.

“Don’t worry about money,” I said. “I’m about to secure a major contract.” Her brows lifted. “Once it goes through, my earnings will practically double. Even if they refuse to pay, I can still afford your expenses.”

19:55 Wed, Sep 30

Chapter 51

Finuca

Her eyes softened. “All right.” She took my hand. “I know my Firefly is capable.” Then her expression

hanged. “But I wasn’t joking about the shares.” I paused, and she patted my hand. “I’m already an old woman. Those shares don’t mean much to me anymore. If they eventually end up in your hands, you’ll have something to rely on.”

My throat tightened, and her eyes began to glisten. “That way, even if your father disappoints you again someday, you’ll still have security.”

I couldn’t speak. “Grandma.”

“I know,” she said, smiling. “The person who loves me most is you.”

That was enough to break the last of my control. I lowered my head and buried my face against her knees, my wolf surfacing, not aggressive this time, just curling inward, seeking comfort.

Her fingers sliced into my hair slowly, patiently, the same way she had when I was a child.

“Don’t cry

can ever

I clos

As long as I’m alive, I will cherish you.” Her hand rested gently on my head. “And no one

the trust I have in you.”

nd for several seconds neither of us moved.

vibrated, once, then again. I pulled away and wiped my face. Rhys’s name lit the screen, on tightened before I even answered.

in his voice made my wolf lift her head. “What happened?”

lence, then, “Kieran Vale just arrived at the office.”

ed “Why?”

there to negotiate.”

ingers tightened around the phone. Rhys inhaled. “He’s here because he wants you to know exactly ar he offered Damian’s company.”

went completely still. Because if Kieran had come personally, the contract was no longer the only thing he

s trying to take from me.

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